The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 6

Zachary's naive yet blunt words pierced my heart like a needle.

In his moment of illness and vulnerability, he was still thinking of the woman who had caused him to become sick.

I looked down at him.

He was clearly exhausted after his stomachache, as he had fallen asleep again after saying that.

Steven must have heard Zachary's words, too. He took my hand. "Honey."

I felt no inclination to respond. I instinctively wanted to pull away.

However, Steven tightened his grip, not allowing me to withdraw. "Today was just an accident. Mom acted without consulting us, and Zachary was sick. He didn't mean what he said."

"I can understand him," I replied, holding Zachary as I started to walk toward the exit. "He likes Jessica now. Of course, he's going to think she's wonderful."

After a pause, I continued, "Since I banned him from contacting her, his resistance will be strong at first. But Zachary isn't a bad kid. I'll guide him back to understanding who truly cares for him. "But I hope you can keep your word. I can overlook today's incident as a mistake, but I don't want there to be a next time."

As I spoke, I stopped.

Fearing I would tire myself, Steven took Zachary from my arms. "I promise that I'll do better, honey."

I looked at the sleeping child in Steven's arms and fell silent.

...

Steven parked the car when we arrived home. Seeing Zachary peacefully asleep, I didn't want to wake him up.

Just as I was about to carry him inside, Steven was already standing by the passenger door. His voice was soft as he said, "I'll do it."

Then, he effortlessly lifted Zachary with one hand while extending the other toward me.

I

frame and handsome features, making him seem almost like a

and stepping out of

Steven gently placed Zachary in his

the same time, I took a small basin of warm water to his room. Steven helped by removing

drying him off and dressed him in his pajamas. He would grunt occasionally,

smiled indulgently. He tossed the towel into the basin

at the edge of

attitude toward me had worsened recently. Whenever we spoke, he grew impatient and lashed out before I could even respond calmly. The only times we seemed to coexist peacefully were when he was asleep. "Honey." Steven approached and bent down

his neck and

his elbow and closed Zachary's bedroom door. "Do you remember what we said before heading to the hospital?"

before going to the hospital.

Steven. But then, I thought about how Jessica was already causing trouble for Zachary even before Steven and I had divorced. What would happen after the divorce? Would Zachary still have a good

our

my mind raced with these thoughts. I struggled to remember what

are a bit forgetful." Steven closed the bedroom door. He cradled

lowered voice carried a tone of intimacy that

playful as he

but I wasn't about to let him win.

eyes, my

like a waterfall over the white sheets. My cheeks, flushed from our kiss, glowed with a vibrant charm. Steven swallowed hard. "Then, I guess I'll just have to help you

...

emotional toll of the day, compounded by exhaustion

hospital due to stomach issues. He obviously needed careful

early and prepare

mushy. I started by boiling water on high heat, then switched to low to let it simmer. Glancing at the clock, I noted that it was still early-only a little past 5:00 am. I decided to head to the nearby vegetable market to buy

home, I quickly cleaned and chopped everything. I only started cooking when it

vegetables, and the other was chicken